Push Factors: Perspectives on Guatemalan Migration

Push Factors: Perspectives on Guatemalan Migration

Jan. 16 - Feb. 24, 2019

In an exhibit of provocative and visually arresting photography that explores the factors driving
residents of Guatemala from their homes, viewers are invited to consider the complexities of
Guatemalan life and the stereotyping of migrants that permeates society today. Guatemalans
have long experienced institutional violence and socio-political issues — corruption, poverty,
genocide, gang violence and resource exploitation — that have coalesced into considerable
human suffering.

The Prichard’s “Push Factors” exhibit, organized by Curators Without Borders and brought to
the university in partnership with The Martin Institute, features work by award-winning
photographers and photojournalists Rodrigo Abd, James Rodríguez and William B. Plowman,
along with written accounts from migrant youth. The Prichard’s exhibit also features videos and additional still images by Rodríguez and Abd projected in the balcony galleries.

Being responsive to a rapidly changing world and meeting important issues of the day has long
been a hallmark of our gallery. “Push Factors” helps bring depth and understanding to people
simply seeking a better life.

Roger H.D. Rowley, Director

About the Photographers

Abd, from Bueno Aires, Argentina, is a staff photographer for The Associated Press based in
Guatemala. He covered Venezuela’s presidential elections in 2007 and 2012, the Haitian
earthquake in 2010, the political conflict in Libya in 2011 and the Syrian armed conflict in 2012,
for which he won the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography.

Rodríguez has been based in Guatemala since 2006, focusing on post-war processes, human
rights abuses, land tenure issues and social conflicts caused by extractive industries in the
region. Rodríguez has worked for publications including the International New York Times,
National Geographic, The Guardian and TIME for Kids.

Plowman is based in Washington, D.C., and is the contributing photographer for NBC’s weekly
political news program “Meet the Press.” His work focuses on issues of political, economic,
social and humanitarian import around the world. He has covered the revolution in Haiti, a failed
coup d’état in Venezuela, the Afghan refugee crisis and the impact of the economic crisis in the
U.S. Plowman’s work has been widely recognized and awarded by the Picture of the Year
International, the National Press Photographers Association and several other organizations.